Liquid crystal display

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes each having a first sub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrode that face each other in a diagonal direction; a plurality of gate lines; and a plurality of data lines that intersect the plurality of gate lines and at least partially overlap the pixel electrodes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2006-0125428 filed in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office on Dec. 11, 2006, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display.

2. Description of the Related Art

Liquid crystal displays are now the most widely used of the flat paneldisplays. The liquid crystal displays have two display panels on whichelectric field generating electrodes such as pixel electrodes and acommon electrode are formed, and a liquid crystal layer interposedbetween the panels. In the liquid crystal displays, a voltage is appliedto the electric field generating electrodes so as to generate anelectric field in the liquid crystal layer. The alignment of liquidcrystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer is determined by theelectric field. Accordingly, the polarization of incident light iscontrolled, thereby providing image display.

The liquid crystal displays also include switching elements connected tothe individual pixel electrodes and a plurality of signal lines, such asgate lines and data lines, for controlling the switching elements so asto apply voltages to the pixel electrodes.

In order to prevent a degradation phenomenon that occurs when theelectric field is applied in the liquid crystal layer in one directionfor a long time, polarities of the data voltage with respect to a commonvoltage are inverted for every frame, every row, or every pixel.

In these liquid crystal displays, a high-speed driving method is used soas to improve a motion picture display characteristic. However, becausehigh-speed driving requires a larger amount of electric power as theframe speed increases, column inversion is used once per frame tominimize power consumption.

However, the column inversion causes a coupling defect and a stripedefect. Parasitic capacitance arising from an overlap between the datalines and the pixel electrodes causes a data voltage having the samepolarity to be continuously applied throughout a frame, therebygenerating a coupling defect that causes the upper and lower parts ofthe display panel of the liquid crystal panel assembly to display imageswith different luminances. In particular, if a box having a highgrayscale level is displayed on a background image having a lowgrayscale level, a vertical crosstalk phenomenon may occur such that theupper portion and the lower portion of the box have grayscales differentfrom the background image.

The stripe defect refers to a phenomenon in which stripes appear when adata voltage having the same polarity is applied in a vertical directionso that a data voltage having a positive polarity creates an image thatis different from a data voltage having a negative polarity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a liquidcrystal display that prevents the coupling defect and the stripe defectcomprising: a plurality of pixel electrodes each having a firstsub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrode that face eachother in a diagonal direction and are connected to each other; aplurality of gate lines; and a plurality of data lines that intersectthe plurality of gate lines and at least partially overlap the pixelelectrodes.

Each of the first and second sub-pixel electrodes may include first andsecond edges that are parallel to the gate line, and third and fourthedges that are parallel to the data line.

The liquid crystal display may further include a plurality of thin filmtransistors connected to the gate lines, the data lines, and the pixelelectrodes.

The data lines may include a first data line connected to the pixelelectrodes through the thin film transistors and second and third datalines that are adjacent to the first data line, and the pixel electrodesmay overlap all of the first to third data lines.

The first data line may overlap both the first and second sub-pixelelectrodes, the second data line may overlap the first sub-pixelelectrodes, and the third data line may overlap the second sub-pixelelectrodes.

Data voltages having the same polarity may be applied to the second andthird data lines, and the polarity of the data voltage applied to thefirst data line may be opposite to that of the data voltage applied thesecond and third data lines.

The plurality of thin film transistors connected to the pixel electrodesthat are adjacent in the column direction may be alternately disposed atboth sides of the data line.

The liquid crystal display may further include an organic film formedbetween the pixel electrodes and the data lines.

The liquid crystal display may further include storage electrode linesthat overlap the pixel electrodes.

An opening may be formed in the organic film at a position where eachstorage electrode line overlaps a pixel electrode.

Each thin film transistor may include a drain electrode connected to thepixel electrode, and at least a portion of the drain electrode mayoverlap the storage electrode line.

The liquid crystal display may further include a plurality of colorfilters that are formed between the pixel electrodes and the data lines.

An opening may be formed in each color filter at a position where thestorage electrode line overlaps the pixel electrode.

The liquid crystal display may further include a common electrode thatfaces the pixel electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer interposedbetween the common electrode and the pixel electrodes. The liquidcrystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer may be arranged inparallel with the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes when noelectric field is applied.

The liquid crystal display may further include a common electrode thatfaces the pixel electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer interposedbetween the common electrode and the pixel electrodes. The liquidcrystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer may be aligned in a splayalignment mode when no electric field is applied, and aligned in a bendalignment mode when the electric field is generated.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a liquid crystaldisplay including: a plurality of pixel electrodes; a plurality of gatelines that transmit gate signals to the pixel electrodes; and aplurality of data lines that intersect the gate lines and transmit datavoltages to the pixel electrodes. Each data line overlaps a pixelelectrode and includes a first portion that lies on a first imaginarystraight line and a second portion that lies on a second imaginarystraight line which is separated from and parallel to the firstimaginary straight line.

The first and second portions of the data lines may overlap differentpixel electrodes.

The pixel electrode may include first and second edges that are parallelto the gate lines, and third and fourth edges that are parallel to thedata lines.

The liquid crystal display may further include a plurality of storageelectrode lines that overlap the pixel electrodes.

The liquid crystal display may further include a light blocking memberdisposed between adjacent pixel electrodes.

The light blocking member may include a first light blocking member thatis adjacent to the first portion of the data line and a second lightblocking member that is adjacent to the second portion of the data line.

The first light blocking member may be separated from the second lightblocking member, and the first light blocking member may be connected tothe storage electrode line.

The light blocking member may be formed of the same material as thestorage electrode line.

The liquid crystal display may further include an organic film formedbetween the pixel electrodes and the data lines.

An opening may be formed in the organic film at a position where thestorage electrode line overlaps the pixel electrode.

The liquid crystal display may further include a plurality of colorfilters that are formed between the pixel electrodes and the data lines.

An opening may be formed in the color filter at a position where thestorage electrode line overlaps the pixel electrode.

The liquid crystal display may further include a plurality of thin filmtransistors connected to the gate lines, the data lines, and the pixelelectrodes. The plurality of thin film transistors connected to thepixel electrodes that are adjacent in the column direction may bealternately disposed at both sides of the data line.

Data voltages having opposite polarities may be applied to the twoadjacent data lines.

The liquid crystal display may further include a common electrode thatfaces the pixel electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer interposedbetween the common electrode and the pixel electrodes. The liquidcrystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer may be arranged inparallel with the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes when noelectric field is applied.

The liquid crystal display may further include a common electrode thatfaces the pixel electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer interposedbetween the common electrode and the pixel electrodes. The liquidcrystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer may be aligned in a splayalignment mode when no electric field is applied, and aligned in a bendalignment mode when the electric field is generated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one pixel in the liquidcrystal display according to the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the spatial alignment of the pixels andsignal lines of the liquid crystal panel assembly according to theexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a layout view of the liquid crystal panel assembly accordingto the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of the liquid crystal panelassembly of FIG. 4 taken along the lines V-V and VI-VI.

FIG. 7 is a layout view illustrating an alignment error occurring in themanufacturing process of the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a layout view of a liquid crystal panel assembly according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a layout view of a liquid crystal panel assembly according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel assemblyshown in FIG. 9 taken along the line IX-IX.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an alignment state of the liquid crystalmolecules of a liquid crystal display according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention before a predetermined voltage isapplied.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an alignment state of the liquid crystalmolecules of a liquid crystal display according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention after the predetermined voltage isapplied.

FIG. 13 is a layout view illustrating an alignment error occurring inthe liquid crystal panel assembly shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc.,are exaggerated for clarity. It will be understood that when an elementsuch as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on”another element, it can be directly on the other element or interveningelements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referredto as being “directly on” another element, there are no interveningelements present.

First, a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is anequivalent circuit diagram of one pixel in a liquid crystal displayaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a liquid crystal display according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panelassembly 300, a gate driver 400, a data driver 500, a gray voltagegenerator 800, and a signal controller 600.

In an equivalent circuit, the liquid crystal panel assembly 300 includesa plurality of signal lines G₁ to G_(n) and D₁ to D_(m), and a pluralityof pixels PX that are connected to the plurality of signal lines and arearranged approximately in a matrix. Referring to the structure shown inFIG. 2, the liquid crystal panel assembly 300 includes lower and upperdisplay panels 100 and 200 that face each other, and a liquid crystallayer 3 that is interposed between the lower and upper display panels100 and 200.

The signal lines G₁ to G_(n) and D₁ to D_(m) include a plurality of gatelines G₁ to G_(n) that transmit gate signals (also referred to as“scanning signals”), and a plurality of data lines D₁ to D_(m) thattransmit data signals. The gate lines G₁ to G_(n) substantially extendin a row direction and are in parallel with one another, and the datalines D₁ to D_(m) substantially extend in a column direction and are inparallel with one another.

For example, the pixel PX connected to an i-th gate line Gi (i=1, 2, . .. , n) and a j-th data line Gj (j=1, 2, . . . , m) includes a switchingelement Q and a liquid crystal capacitor Clc, and a storage capacitorCst connected thereto. The storage capacitor Cst may be omitted ifnecessary

The switching element Q is a three terminal element such as a thin filmtransistor that is provided in the lower display panel 100. A controlterminal thereof is connected to the gate line Gi, an input terminalthereof is connected to a data line Dj, and an output terminal isconnected to the liquid crystal capacitor Clc and the storage capacitorCst.

The liquid crystal capacitor Clc includes a pixel electrode 191 of thelower display panel 100 and a common electrode 270 of the upper 20display panel 200 as two terminals, and the liquid crystal layer 3between the two electrodes 191 and 270 functions as a dielectric. Thepixel electrode 191 is connected to the switching element Q, and thecommon electrode 270 is formed on the entire surface of the upperdisplay panel 200 and has a common voltage Vcom applied therewith.Unlike the structure shown in FIG. 2, the common electrode 270 may beprovided on the lower display panel 100, and in this case, at least oneof the two electrodes 191 and 270 may be formed in a linear or rodshape.

The storage capacitor Cst that supplements the liquid crystal Clc isformed such that an additional signal line (not shown) provided in thelower display panel 100 and the pixel electrode 191 overlaps aninsulating material interposed therebetween. The additional signal lineis supplied with a predetermined voltage such as a common voltage Vcom.However, the storage capacitor Cst may be formed by overlapping thepixel electrode 191 and a previous gate line formed directly on thepixel electrode with the insulating material therebetween.

To provide a color display, each pixel PX displays one of the primarycolors (spatial division), or the pixels PX alternately display theprimary colors with time (temporal division), which causes the primarycolors to be spatially and temporally synthesized, thereby displaying adesired color. The primary colors may be composed of, for example, red,green, and blue. As an example of the spatial division, FIG. 2 showsthat each pixel PX has a color filter 230 for displaying one of theprimary colors in a region of the upper display panel 200 correspondingto the pixel electrode 191. Unlike the structure shown in FIG. 2, thecolor filter 230 may be provided above or below the pixel electrode 191of the lower display panel 100.

At least one polarizer (not shown) for polarizing light is mounted on anouter surface of the liquid crystal panel assembly 300.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the gray voltage generator 800 generates allgray voltages related to the transmittance of the pixel PX, or a limitednumber of gray voltages (hereinafter, referred to as “reference grayvoltages”). However, the gray voltage generator 800 may generate only agiven number of gray voltages (referred to as reference gray voltages)instead of generating all of the gray voltages. The (reference) grayvoltages may have a positive value with respect to the common voltageVcom and a 10 negative value with respect to the common voltage Vcom.

The gate driver 400 is connected to the gate lines G₁ to G_(n) of theliquid crystal panel assembly 300, and supplies gate signals each ofwhich is composed of a combination of a gate-on voltage Von and agate-off voltage Voff to the gate lines G₁ to G_(n).

The data driver 500 is connected to the data lines D₁ to D_(m) of theliquid crystal panel assembly 300, selects the gray voltage generated bythe gray voltage generator 800, and supplies the selected gray voltageto the data lines D₁ to D_(m) as a data voltage. However, when the grayvoltage generator 800 does not supply all of the gray voltages, butsupplies only a predetermined number of reference gray voltages, thedata driver 500 divides the reference gray voltage to select a desireddata voltage from the generated gray voltages.

The signal controller 600 controls, for example, the gate driver 400 andthe data driver 500.

Each of the drivers 400, 500, 600, and 800 may be directly mounted onthe liquid crystal panel assembly 300 in the form of at least one ICchip, may be mounted on a flexible printed circuit film (not shown) andthen mounted on the liquid crystal panel assembly 300 in the form of aTCP (tape carrier package), or may be mounted on a separate printedcircuit board (not shown). Alternatively, the drivers 400, 500, 600, and800 may be integrated into the liquid crystal panel assembly 300together with, for example, the signal lines G₁ to G_(n) and D₁ to D_(m)and the thin film transistor switching elements Q. The drivers 400, 500,600, and 800 may be integrated into a single chip. In this case, atleast one of the drivers or at least one circuit forming the drivers maybe arranged outside the single chip.

Hereinafter, the operation of the liquid crystal display will bedescribed in detail.

The signal controller 600 receives input image signals R, G, and B andinput control signals for displaying the input image signals from anexternal graphics controller (not shown). The input image signals R, G,and B include luminance information of each pixel PX, and the luminancehas a predetermined number of grayscale levels, for example 1024 (=2¹⁰),256 (=2⁸), or 64 (=2⁶) levels. For example, any of the following signalsmay be used as the input control signal: a vertical synchronizationsignal Vsync, a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, a main clocksignal MCLK, and a data enable signal DE.

The signal controller 600 processes the input image signals R, G, and Bso as to be suitable for the operational conditions of the liquidcrystal panel assembly 300 on the basis of the input image signals R, G,and B and the input control signal, and generates, for example, a gatecontrol signal CONT1 and a data control signal CONT2. Then, the signalcontroller 600 transmits the gate control signal CONT1 to the gatedriver 400 and transmits the data control signal CONT2 and the processedimage signal DAT to the data driver 500.

The gate control signal CONT1 includes a scanning start signal STV forindicating the start of scanning, and at least one clock signal forcontrolling the output cycle of the gate-on voltage Von. The gatecontrol signal CONT1 may further include an output enable signal OE fordefining the duration of the gate-on voltage Von.

The data control signal CONT2 includes a horizontal synchronizationstart signal STH for indicating that the transmission of data to a rowof pixels PX starts, a load signal LOAD for allowing data voltages to betransmitted to the data lines D₁ to D_(m), and a data clock signal HCLK.The data control signal CONT2 may further include an inversion signalRVS for inverting the polarity of the data voltage with respect to thecommon voltage Vcom (hereinafter, “the polarity of data voltage withrespect to the common voltage” is simply referred to as “the polarity ofa data voltage”).

The data driver 500 receives the digital image signal DAT for a row ofpixels PX in response to the data control signal CONT2 transmitted fromthe signal controller 600, selects a gray voltage corresponding to eachdigital image signal DAT, converts the digital image signal DAT into ananalog data signal, and supplies the analog data signal to thecorresponding data lines D₁ to D_(m).

The gate driver 400 applies the gate-on voltage Von to the gate lines G₁to G_(n) on the basis of the gate control signal CONT1 from the signalcontroller 600 to turn on the switching elements Q connected to the gatelines G₁ to G_(n). Then, the data voltages applied to the data lines D₁to D_(m) are supplied to the corresponding pixels PX through theswitching elements Q that are in an on state.

The difference between the voltage of the data voltage applied to thepixel PX and the common voltage Vcom is a charging voltage of the liquidcrystal capacitor Clc, that is, a pixel voltage. The alignmentdirections of liquid crystal molecules depend on the level of the pixelvoltage, and cause the polarization of light passing through the liquidcrystal layer 3 to vary. The variation in polarization causes avariation in the transmittance of light by the polarizer mounted on theliquid crystal panel assembly 300. Therefore, the pixel PX may displaythe luminance indicated by the grayscale level of the image signal DAT.

These processes are repeatedly performed for every one horizontal period(which is referred to as “1H” and is equal to one period of thehorizontal synchronization signal Hsync and the data enable signal DE).In this way, the gate-on voltage Von is sequentially applied to all thegate lines G₁ to G_(n), and the data signals are supplied to all thepixels PX, thereby displaying one frame of images.

When one frame has ended, the next frame starts. In this case, the stateof the inversion signal RVS applied to the data driver 500 is controlledsuch that the polarity of the data voltage applied to each pixel PX isopposite to the polarity of the data voltage in the previous frame(“frame inversion”). The polarity of the data signal applied to one dataline may be inverted in the same frame according to the characteristicof the inversion signal RVS (for example, row inversion and dotinversion), and the polarities of the data voltages to be applied to arow of pixels may be different from each other (for example, columninversion and dot inversion).

The alignment of the pixels and the signal lines of the liquid crystalpanel assembly will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the spatial alignment of the pixels andthe signal lines of the liquid crystal panel assembly according to theexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

For better comprehension and ease of description, only some of the datalines D₁ to D₇ and some of the gate lines G_(j−1) to G_(j+2) are shown.

Referring to FIG. 3, a row of pixels PX is connected to the gate linesG_(j−1) to G_(j+2) and the data lines D₁ to D₇ through the switchingelements Q. In the pixels PX disposed in the same row, all the pixelsdisposed in first and third rows are connected to the data lines D₂, D₄,and D₆ on the right sides of the pixels PX, and all the pixels disposedon second and fourth rows are connected to the data lines D₁, D₃, D₅,and D₇ on the left sides of the pixels PX.

The pixels PX disposed in the same column are alternatively connected tothe data lines D₁ to D₇ on the right and left sides of the pixels PX.

Further, data voltages having opposite polarities are applied to everytwo adjacent data lines D₁ to D₇. That is, the polarity of the datavoltage to be applied to odd-numbered data lines D₁, D₃, D₅, and D₇ arepositive and the polarity of the data voltage to be applied toeven-numbered data lines D₂, D₄, to D₆ are negative.

Therefore, positive and negative data voltages are alternatively appliedto the pixels PX (hereinafter, referred to as “pixel polarity”), whichcauses dot inversion thereby preventing the stripe defect fromoccurring.

Hereinafter, the liquid crystal panel assembly according to theexemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

FIG. 4 is a layout view of the liquid crystal panel assembly accordingto the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5 and 6 arecross-sectional views of the liquid crystal panel assembly of FIG. 4taken along the lines V-V and VI-VI.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the liquid crystal panel assembly accordingto the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a lowerdisplay panel 100, an upper display panel 200, and a liquid crystallayer 3 interposed therebetween.

First, the lower display panel 100 will be described in detail.

A plurality of gate lines 121 and a plurality of storage electrode lines131 are formed on an insulation substrate 110 formed of, for example,transparent glass.

The gate lines 121 transmit the gate signals and extend in thehorizontal direction. Each of the gate lines 121 includes a plurality ofgate electrodes 124 that protrude upward, and a wide end portion 129that is provided for connection to a different layer or an externaldriving circuit.

The storage electrode lines 131 are supplied with a predeterminedvoltage, and substantially extend in parallel with the gate lines 121.Each of the storage electrode lines 131 is disposed between two adjacentgate lines 121 and maintains the same interval from the two gate lines121. The storage electrode lines 131 include the storage electrodes 137extending in the vertical direction. However, the shape and alignment ofthe storage electrode lines 131 may be modified in various ways.

The gate lines 121 and the storage electrode lines 131 may be formed ofa conductor having low resistance, for example, an aluminum-based metal,such as aluminum (Al) or an aluminum alloy, a silver-based metal, suchas silver (Ag) or a silver alloy, a copper-based metal, such as copper(Cu) or a copper alloy, a molybdenum-based metal, such as molybdenum(Mo) or a molybdenum alloy, chromium (Cr), tantalum (Ta), or titanium(Ti). The gate lines 121 and the storage electrode lines 131 may have amulti-layered structure including two conductive layers (not shown)whose physical properties are different from each other. Of these, oneconductive layer is formed of a metallic material having lowresistivity, such as an aluminum-base metal, a silver-base metal, or acopper-based metal, in order to reduce signal delay or voltage drop. Incontrast, the other conductive layer is formed of a different material,particularly a material having excellent physical, chemical, andelectrical contact characteristics with ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) and IZO(Indium Zinc Oxide), such as a molybdenum-based metal, chromium,titanium, or tantalum. Specific examples of the combination include acombination of a chromium lower layer and an aluminum (alloy) upperlayer, and a combination of an aluminum (alloy) lower layer and amolybdenum (alloy) upper layer. Moreover, the gate lines 121 and thestorage electrode lines 131 may be formed of various metals orconductors, other than the above materials.

The lateral side's surface of each of the gate lines 121 and the storageelectrode lines 131 is inclined with respect to a surface of thesubstrate 110, and the inclination angle is preferably in a range ofabout 30° to 80°.

A gate insulating layer 140 made of silicon nitride (SiN_(x)) or siliconoxide (SiO_(x)) is formed on the gate lines 121 and the storageelectrode line 131.

A plurality of semiconductor islands 154 formed of hydrogenatedamorphous silicon (abbreviated as a-Si) or polycrystalline silicon areformed on the gate insulating layer 140. The semiconductor islands 154are respectively disposed on the gate electrodes 124.

A plurality of ohmic contacts 163 and 165 are formed on thesemiconductor islands 154. The ohmic contacts 163 and 165 may be formedof a material such as n+ hydrogenated amorphous silicon, in which ann-type impurity is doped with high concentration, or of silicide. Aplurality of pairs of ohmic contacts 163 and 165 are formed on thesemiconductor islands 154.

The lateral sides of each of the semiconductor islands 154 and the ohmiccontacts 163 and 165 is inclined with respect to the surface of thesubstrate 110, and the inclination angle is in a range of about 30° to80°.

A plurality of data lines 171 and a plurality of drain electrodes 175are formed on the ohmic contacts 163 and 165 and the gate insulatinglayer 140.

The data lines 171 transmit data signals and substantially extend in avertical direction to cross the gate lines 121 and the storage electrodelines 131. Each of the data lines 171 includes a plurality of first andsecond source electrodes 173 extending toward the gate electrodes 124,and a wide end portion 179 that is provided for connection to adifferent layer or an external driving circuit.

The drain electrodes 175 are separated from the data lines 171, and facethe source electrodes 173 with electrodes 124 as a center, respectively.Each of the drain electrodes 175 includes one end portion having a wideextension and the other end portion having a bar shape which issurrounded by the source electrodes 173 curved in a “U” shape.

One gate electrode 124, one source electrode 173, and one drainelectrode 175 form one thin film transistor (TFT) together with thesemiconductor island 154. A channel of the thin film transistor isformed in the semiconductor island 154 between the source electrode 173and the drain electrode 175.

The data line 171 and the drain electrodes 175 are preferably formed ofa refractory metal, such as molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, or titanium,or an alloy of them. The data line 171 and the drain electrodes 175 mayhave a multi-layered structure having a refractory metal layer (notshown) and a low-resistive conductive layer (not shown). Examples of themulti-layered structure includes a two-layered structure of a chromiumor molybdenum (alloy) lower layer and an aluminum (alloy) upper layer,and a three-layered structure of a molybdenum (alloy) lower layer, analuminum (alloy) intermediate layer, and a molybdenum (alloy) upperlayer. However, the data line 171 and the drain electrodes 175 may beformed of various materials or conductors, other than the abovematerials.

Preferably, the lateral sides of each of the data line 171 and the drainelectrodes 175 is also inclined with respect to the surface of thesubstrate 110 at an angle of about 30° to 80°.

The ohmic contacts 163 and 165 are provided only between the underlyingsemiconductor islands 154 and the overlying data lines 171 and drainelectrodes 175 so as to reduce contact resistance therebetween. Thesemiconductor islands 154 have exposed portions that are not coveredwith the data line 171 and the drain electrodes 175, including a portionbetween the source electrode 173 and the drain electrode 175.

A passivation layer 180 is formed on the data line 171, the drainelectrodes 175, and the exposed portions of the semiconductor island154. The passivation layer 180 is formed of an inorganic insulator andmay have a flat surface. The inorganic insulator may be exemplified assilicon nitride or silicon oxide. The upper passivation layer 180 mayhave photosensitivity, and preferably has a dielectric constant of 4.0or less. However, the passivation layer 180 may have a dual-layeredstructure having a lower inorganic layer and an upper organic layer soas to utilize the excellent insulating characteristic of the organicfilm and to not damage the exposed semiconductor island 154.

A plurality of contact holes (contact holes) 182 and 185 are formed inthe passivation layer 180 to expose one end of the data lines 171 andthe drain electrodes 175. Further, a plurality of contact holes 181 areformed in the passivation layer 180 and the gate insulating layer 140 toexpose an end portion 129 of the gate lines 121. Further, an opening 183is formed in the passivation layer 180 to expose the gate insulatinglayer 140. The opening 183 overlaps the storage electrode 137.

A plurality of pixel electrodes 191 and a plurality of contactassistants 81 and 82 are formed on the passivation layer 180. These maybe formed of a transparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO, or areflective metal such as aluminum, silver, chromium, or an alloy ofthem.

The pixel electrode 191 includes first and second sub-pixel electrodes191 a and 191 b that face each other in a diagonal direction. Inparticular, the first sub-pixel electrode 191 a is disposed at a lowerleft portion and the second sub-pixel electrode 191 b is disposed at anupper right portion. A second sub-pixel electrode of another pixelelectrode is disposed at the upper portion of the first sub-pixelelectrode 191 a, and a first sub-pixel electrode of another pixelelectrode is disposed at the lower portion of the second sub-pixelelectrode 191 b. The first and second sub-pixel electrodes 191 a and 191b are connected to each other through a connection unit 192.

Each of the sub-pixel electrodes 191 a and 191 b includes a pair ofhorizontal edges that are parallel to the gate line 121 and a pair ofvertical edges that are parallel to the data line 171. The length ofeach edge of the first sub-pixel electrode 191 a is substantially equalto that of each edge of the second sub-pixel electrode 191 b. Therefore,the area of the sub-pixel electrode 191 a is substantially equal to thatof the sub-pixel electrode 191 b.

The pixel electrode 191 is physically and electrically connected to thedrain electrode 175 through the contact hole 185 so as to be suppliedwith the data voltage from the drain electrode 175. The pixel electrode191 to which the data voltage is applied generates an electric fieldwith the common electrode 270 of another display panel 200 (not shown)to which the common voltage is applied, thereby determining a directionof liquid crystal molecules 31 in the liquid crystal layer 3 interposedbetween the two electrodes 191 and 270. The polarization of lightpassing through the liquid crystal layer 3 varies on the basis of thedirection of the liquid crystal molecules determined as described above.The pixel electrode 191 and the common electrode 270 form a capacitor(hereinafter, referred to as a “liquid crystal capacitor”) so as tomaintain the applied voltage after the thin film transistor is turnedoff.

The pixel electrode 191 is opposite to the storage electrode line 131such as the storage electrode 137 with the gate insulating layer 140interposed therebetween, thereby forming a storage capacitor. Thestorage capacitor improves the voltage storage capacity of the liquidcrystal capacitor. At this time, since the opening 183 is formed in thepassivation layer 180, only the gate insulating layer 140 exists betweenthe pixel electrode 191 and the storage electrode 137. Therefore, thedistance between the pixel electrode 191 and the storage electrode line131 becomes short, and thus the voltage storage capacity is improved.

At least the storage electrode line 131 disposed between the first andsecond sub-pixel electrodes 191 a and 191 b extends in a horizontaldirection while being overlapped with both the first and secondsub-pixel electrodes 191 a and 191 b. The gate line 121 extends belowthe first sub-pixel electrodes 191 a, while at least parts of the gateline 121 overlap the two first sub-pixel electrodes 191 a.

The data line 171 disposed between the first and second sub-pixelelectrodes 191 a and 191 b extends in a vertical direction, while atleast parts of the data line 171 overlap both the first and secondsub-pixel electrodes 191 a and 191 b. Among a plurality of data lines171, the data line 171 connected to the pixel electrode 191 through thecontact hole 185 is referred to as a first data line 171 s. The dataline 171 adjacent to the left of the first data line 171 s is referredto as a second data line 171 l, and the data line 171 adjacent to theright of the first data line 171 s is referred to as the third data line171 r. At this time, each of the first and second sub-pixel electrodes191 a and 191 b overlaps the first data line 171 s, the first sub-pixelelectrode 191 a overlaps the second data line 171 l, and the secondsub-pixel electrode 191 b overlaps the third data line 171 r.

The contact assistant 81 is connected to the end portion 129 of the gateline 121 through the contact hole 181, and the contact assistant 82 isconnected to the end portion 179 of the data line 171 through thecontact hole 182. The contact assistants 81 and 82 supplement theadhesive property between the end portion 129 of the gate line 121 andthe external device and between the end portion 179 of the data line 171and the external device.

Next, the upper display panel 200 will be explained.

A light blocking member 220 is formed on an insulation substrate 210formed of, for example, transparent glass or plastic. The light blockingmember 220 may include curved portions (not shown) corresponding to thecurved edges of the pixel electrode 191, and quadrangle portions (notshown) corresponding to the thin film transistor. The light blockingmember 220 prevents light leakage between the pixel electrodes 191 anddefines an opening region which faces the pixel electrode 191.

A plurality of color filters 230 are formed on the substrate 210 and thelight blocking member 220. Most of the plurality of color filters 230exist in a region surrounded by the light blocking member 220 and mayextend along a column of pixel electrodes 191. Each of the color filters230 may display one of three primary colors, such as red, green, andblue.

An overcoat 250 is formed on the color filter 230 and the light blockingmember 220. The overcoat 250 may be formed of an organic insulator andfunctions to prevent the color filter 230 from being exposed and supplya flat surface. The overcoat 250 may be omitted.

The common electrode 270 is formed on the overcoat 250. The commonelectrode 270 is formed of a transparent conductor such as ITO or IZO.

Alignment layers 11 and 21 may be formed inside the display panels 100and 200. These alignment layers 11 and 21 may be vertical alignmentlayers.

Polarizers (not shown) may be formed outside the display panels 100 and200. It is preferable that polarization axes of two polarizers beperpendicular to each other and have an angle of 45° with the curvededge of the sub-pixel electrodes 191 a and 191 b. In a case of areflective liquid crystal display, one of the two polarizers may beomitted.

The liquid crystal display may include the polarizers 12 and 22,retardation films, the display panels 100 and 200, and a backlight unit(not shown) that supplies light to the liquid crystal layer 3.

The liquid crystal layer 3 has positive dielectric anisotropy. Theliquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 3 are arranged tobe parallel to the upper and lower display panels when no electric fieldis applied.

Overcoming an alignment error occurring in the liquid crystal panelassembly will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a layout view illustrating a case where the alignment erroroccurs at the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display shownin FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 7, all the data lines 171 are arranged while beinginclined to the left side, as compared with the FIG. 4

Therefore, the overlapped area between the data line 171 and the pixelelectrode 191 is different from the overlapped area shown in FIG. 4.

Parasitic capacitance is present between the data line 171 and the pixelelectrode 191 which may affect the pixel electrode voltage. When datavoltages having opposite polarities are applied to every two adjacentdata lines 171, the parasitic capacitances between each of the adjacentdata lines 171 and the pixel electrode 191 are oppositely charged.Therefore, areas where one pixel electrode 191 overlaps the two datalines 171 to which opposite polarity data voltages are applied, thecharge on the parasitic capacitance is neutralized. However, if analignment error occurs between each of the data lines 171 and the pixelelectrode 191, the areas where the pixel electrode 191 overlaps the twodata lines 171 are different from each other. Accordingly, the voltagesof some of the pixel electrodes 191 may be lower or higher and thecharge on the parasitic capacitance is not neutralized and the stripedefect occurs.

However, as described in the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the stripe defect may be avoided by making the pixelelectrode 191 include a first and a second sub-pixel electrode 191 a and191 b that face each other in the diagonal direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the alignment error occurs, the area in whichthe first sub-pixel electrode 191 a overlaps the first data line 171 sincreases, but the area in which the second sub-pixel electrode 191 boverlaps the first data line 171 s decreases. That is, even though thealignment error occurs, the area where the pixel electrode 191 overlapsthe first data line 171 s to which a positive data voltage is applied isnot changed. Further, even though the area in which the first sub-pixelelectrode 191 a overlaps the second data line 171 l decreases, the areain which the second sub-pixel electrode 191 a overlaps the third dataline 171 r increases. That is, even though the alignment error occurs,the area where the pixel electrode 191 overlaps the second or third datalines 171 l and 171 r to which a negative data voltage is applied is notchanged. Therefore, the charge on the parasitic capacitance between thepixel electrode 191 and the data line 171 may be neutralized.

Hereinafter, a liquid crystal panel assembly according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a layout view of the liquid crystal panel assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the liquid crystal panel assembly according to thisexemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a lower displaypanel (not shown) and an upper display panel (not shown) that face eachother, a liquid crystal layer (not shown) interposed therebetween, and apair of polarizers (not shown) attached outside the display panels.

The layered structure of the liquid crystal panel assembly according tothis exemplary embodiment of the present invention is substantially thesame as the layered structure of the liquid crystal panel assembly shownin FIGS. 4 to 6.

Hereinafter, the lower display panel will be described. A plurality ofgate conductors that include a plurality of gate lines 121 and aplurality of storage electrode lines 131 are formed on an insulationsubstrate (not shown). Each of the gate lines 121 includes gateelectrodes 124 and end portions 129. A gate insulating layer (not shown)is formed on the gate conductor 121. A semiconductor island 154 isformed on the gate insulating layer (not shown). Further, a plurality ofohmic contacts (not shown) is formed on the semiconductor island 154.The data lines 171 and the drain electrodes 175 which include sourceelectrodes 173 and end portions 179 are formed on the ohmic contacts(not shown) and on the gate insulating layer 140 (not shown). Apassivation layer (not shown) is formed on the data conductors 171 and175 and the exposed semiconductor islands 154. Further, the contactholes 181, 182, and 185 are formed on the passivation layer and the gateinsulating layer. The pixel electrodes 191 and contact assistants 81 and82 are formed on the passivation layer 180. Further, an alignment film(not shown) is formed on the pixel electrodes 191, the contactassistants 81 and 82, and the passivation layer 180.

Hereinafter, the upper display panel will be described. A light blockingmember (not shown), color filters (not shown), an overcoat (not shown),a common electrode (not shown), and an alignment film (not shown) areformed on the insulation substrate (not shown).

However, the liquid crystal panel assembly shown in FIG. 8 is differentfrom the liquid crystal panel assembly shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 in that theopenings are not formed in the passivation layer 180 at portions wherethe storage electrodes 137 overlap the pixel electrodes 191. Further,the drain electrodes 175 each include one end portion 177 having a wideextension that is opposite to the other end portion having a bar shapethat is surrounded by the source electrodes 173. The end portions 177having a wide extension of the drain electrodes 175 overlap the storageelectrodes 137.

Each end portion 177 having a wide extension of the drain electrodes 175and the pixel electrodes 191 overlaps a storage electrode 137 and astorage electrode line 131 so as to form the storage capacitor Cst.Further, the end portion 177 having a wide extension of the drainelectrodes 175 improves the capacitance of the storage capacitor Cst.

Next, a liquid crystal panel assembly according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be described in detail withreference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 9 is a layout view of a liquid crystal panel assembly according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is across-sectional view of the liquid crystal panel assembly shown in FIG.9 taken along the line IX-IX.

The liquid crystal panel assembly according to the present exemplaryembodiment includes lower and upper display panels 100 and 200 that faceeach other, a liquid crystal layer 3 that is interposed between thelower and upper display panels 100 and 200, and a pair of polarizers 12and 22.

The layered structure of the liquid crystal panel assembly according tothe present exemplary embodiment is substantially the same as thelayered structure of the liquid crystal panel assembly shown in FIGS. 4to 6.

Hereinafter, the lower display panel 100 will be described. A pluralityof gate conductors that include a plurality of gate lines 121 and aplurality of storage electrode lines 131 are formed on the insulationsubstrate 110. The gate lines 121 include gate electrodes 124 and endportions 129. A gate insulating layer 140 is formed on the gateconductor 121. A semiconductor stripe 151 including a protruding portion154 is formed on the gate insulating layer 140. Further, a plurality ofohmic contacts 163 and 165 are formed on the semiconductor stripe 151.The source electrodes 173, the data lines 171 that include end portions179, and the drain electrodes 175 are formed on the ohmic contacts 161,163, and 165 and the gate insulating layer 140.

A lower passivation layer 180 p, a color filter 230, and an upperpassivation layer 180 q are formed on the data conductors 171 and 175and the exposed semiconductor islands 154. Further, the contact holes181, 182, 185 p, and 185 q are formed in the lower and upper passivationlayers 180 p and 180 q and the gate insulating layer 140. The openings183 p and 183 q are formed in the lower and upper passivation layers 180p and 180 q. The pixel electrodes 191 and contact assistants 81 and 82are formed on the passivation layer 180. Further, an alignment film 11is formed on the pixel electrodes 191, the contact assistants 81 and 82,and the passivation layer 180.

Hereinafter, the upper display panel will be described. A light blockingmember 220, an overcoat 250, a common electrode 270, and an alignmentlayer 21 are formed on the insulation substrate 210.

The liquid crystal panel assembly shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is differentfrom the liquid crystal panel assembly shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 in that thepixel electrodes 191 are not separated and a region defined by the datalines 171 and the gate lines 121 has a rectangular shape.

Each data line 171 includes a first portion 171 ta and a second portion171 tb that are not connected in a straight line. The first portion 171ta is connected to the second portion 171 tb through a connectionportion 178. The entire surface of the first portion 171 ta overlaps apart of the pixel electrode 191 that supplies the data voltage, and theentire surface of the second portion 171 tb overlaps a part of anadjacent pixel electrode 191 that does not supply the data voltage.

On the basis of one pixel electrode 191, a fourth data line 171 tindicates the data line 171 connected through the thin film transistor Qand a fifth data line 171 j indicates the data line 171 adjacent to theleft side of the fourth data line 171 t. Further, a sixth data line 171k indicates the data line 171 adjacent to the right side of the fourthdata line 171 t. Therefore, one pixel electrode 191 overlaps the entiresecond portion 171 tb of the fourth data line 171 t and the entire firstportion 171 ja of the fifth data line 171 j. On the basis of twoadjacent pixel electrodes 191, the second portion 171 tb of the fourthdata line 171 t completely overlaps the first portion 171 ka of thesixth data line 171 k. That is, one pixel electrode 191 overlaps twoadjacent data lines 171 to which data voltages having oppositepolarities are applied.

Further, a light blocking member 132 is formed between adjacent pixelelectrodes 191. The light blocking member 132 includes a first lightblocking member 134 that is adjacent to the first portion 171 ta of thedata line 171 t and a second light blocking member 135 that is adjacentto the second portion 171 tb of the data line 171 t. The first lightblocking member 134 is separated from the second light blocking member135, and the second light blocking member 135 extends from the storageelectrode line 131. The light blocking member 132 is formed of the samematerial as the storage electrode line 131.

As described above, the data line 171 overlaps the pixel electrodes 191.Therefore, a space is formed between the pixel electrodes 191. Ahorizontal direction electric field is formed in the space between thetwo pixel electrodes 191 such that the liquid crystal molecules in theliquid crystal layer 3 are arranged in an unexpected direction, that is,in the horizontal direction. Then, light passes through this portion,which causes light leakage. The light blocking member 132 blocks lightto prevent the light leakage.

Further, the semiconductor island 154 extends along the data lines 171and the drain electrodes 175 to form a semiconductor stripe 151, and anohmic contact 163 extends along the data lines 171 to form an ohmiccontact stripe 161. The semiconductor stripe 151 has substantially thesame shape as those of the data lines 171, the drain electrodes 175, andthe ohmic contacts 161 and 165 under the drain electrodes 175 in a planview.

According to a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor displaypanel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thedata lines 171, the drain electrodes 175, the semiconductor stripe 151,and the ohmic contacts 161 and 165 are formed by one photolithographyprocess.

A photosensitive film used for the photolithography process hasdifferent thicknesses depending on position, and includes a firstportion and a second portion in a descending order of thickness. Thefirst portion is disposed in a wiring region where the data line 171 andthe drain electrode 175 are disposed, and the second portion is disposedin a channel region of the thin film transistor.

The thickness of the photosensitive film may differ according to aplurality of methods. For example, the thickness of the photosensitivefilm may differ by providing a light transmitting area, a light blockingarea, and a translucent area with an optical mask. A slit pattern, alattice pattern, or a thin film having medium transmittance or mediumthickness is provided on the translucent area. When using the slitpattern, it is preferable that the width of the slit or the intervalbetween the slits is smaller than the resolution of the light exposerused for the photolithography process. Alternatively, a reflowablephotosensitive film may be used. That is, the reflowable photosensitivefilm is formed by using a general exposure mask having a lighttransmitting area and a light blocking area. Then, the reflowablephotosensitive film is reflowed such that the photosensitive film flowsto a region where the photosensitive film does not remain.

With the above-described processing, the photolithography processes maybe reduced, thereby making the manufacturing method simple.

The liquid crystal panel assembly according to the present exemplaryembodiment is different from the liquid crystal panel assembly describedabove. That is, the color filters are not provided on the upper displaypanel 200, but a plurality of color filters 230 are formed below thepassivation layer 180 of the lower display panel 100.

The color filters 230 extend in a vertical directional while beingperiodically curved along the column of the pixel electrode 191. Thecolor filter 230 does not exist in peripheral areas in which the endportion 129 of the gate line 121 and the end portion 179 of the dataline 171 are disposed. The contact hole 185 q and the opening 183 q passthrough the color filter 230. The penetration holes 235 and 236 that arelarger than the contact hole 185 q and the opening 183 q are formed inthe color filter 230.

The adjacent color filters 230 may function as the light blocking memberfor blocking light leakage between the adjacent pixel electrodes 191that overlap the data line 171. In this case, the light blocking memberon the upper display panel 200 may be omitted, thereby making theprocess simple. The passivation layer 180 p is formed below the colorfilter 230. The overcoat 250 of the common electrode panel 200 may beomitted.

The liquid crystal layer 3 of the liquid crystal display according tothe present exemplary embodiment includes nematic liquid crystal withpositive dielectric anisotropy. T he liquid crystal molecules in theliquid crystal layer 3 of the liquid crystal display according to thepresent exemplary embodiment are splay-arranged and then bend-arrangeddue to a bend voltage as shown in FIG. 9 so as to drive the display. Aliquid crystal display including the liquid crystal layer 3 having theabove-described liquid crystal molecules 31 is called an OCB (opticallycompensated bend) mode display. The liquid crystal display assemblydriven in the OCB mode operates a normally white mode. That is, theliquid crystal display assembly displays a white color when no voltageis applied.

Hereinafter, the OCB mode will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an alignment state of the liquid crystalmolecules before a predetermined voltage is applied. FIG. 12 is a viewillustrating an alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules afterthe predetermined voltage is applied.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the voltage is not applied, the liquidcrystal molecules 31 in the vicinity of alignment layers 11 and 21 arearranged in a horizontal direction at a pre-tilt angle θ, in which oneend of the liquid crystal molecule rises toward a rubbing direction.Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules 31 are arranged in parallel tothe surface of the substrates 110 and 210 and are symmetrical withrespect to a surface that is separated from the surfaces of the twoalignment layers 11 and 21 at the same distance (hereinafter, referredto as a “center surface”). This alignment is called a splay alignment.

In the above-described state, if a predetermined voltage, that is, abend voltage, is applied to the liquid crystal molecules 31, an electricfield is generated in the liquid crystal layer 3 and the alignment ofthe liquid crystal molecule 31 is changed from the splay alignment toanother alignment.

More specifically, when a voltage is applied to the electrodes (notshown) of the two display panels 100 and 200 and the electric field thatis vertical to the surfaces of the two display panels 100 and 200 isgenerated in the liquid crystal layer 3, the liquid crystal molecules 31in the vicinity of the alignment films 11 and 21 react to the electricfield and rise. However, since the rising directions of the liquidcrystal molecules 31 in the vicinity of the two alignment films 11 and21 are the same, the rising directions of the liquid crystal molecules31 collide with each other at the middle portion of the liquid crystallayer 3, causing a large stress. Therefore, the alignment of the liquidcrystal molecules 31 changes to a twist alignment which is stable fromthe viewpoint of energy. This is called a transient splay alignment.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 12, when a higher electric field isapplied, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules 31 of the liquidcrystal layer changes to a bend alignment. The alignment transition ofthe liquid crystal molecules 31 should uniformly occur in all the liquidcrystal capacitors Clc of the liquid crystal panel assembly 300.

The characteristics of the liquid crystal panel assembly shown in FIGS.4 to 6 may be applied to the liquid crystal panel assembly shown inFIGS. 9 and 10.

Hereinafter, a case where the alignment error occurs in the liquidcrystal panel assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is a layout view illustrating a case where the alignment erroroccurs in the liquid crystal panel assembly shown in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 13, all the data lines 171 are arranged while beinginclined to the left side based on the pixel electrodes 191 as comparedwith FIG. 9. Therefore, the overlapped area between the data line 171and the pixel electrode 191 is different from the overlapped area shownin FIG. 9

Since the pixel electrode 191 sufficiently overlaps the first portion171 ta of the fourth data line 171 t and the second portion 171 jb ofthe fifth data line 171 j, the overlapped area between the pixelelectrode 191 and the fourth data line 171 t and the fifth data line 171j to which the positive data voltage is applied is not changed even whenthe alignment error shown in FIG. 10 occurs. Therefore, the positiveparasitic capacitance and the negative parasitic capacitance between thepixel electrode 191 and the data line 171 are maintained to be the sameas each other. Accordingly, it is possible to remove the parasiticcapacitance generated between the pixel electrode 191 and the data line171.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a couplingdefect or a stripe defect while sufficiently securing the aperture ratioof the liquid crystal display.

While this invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent alignments included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

1. A liquid crystal display comprising: a plurality of pixel electrodeseach having a first sub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrodethat face each other in a diagonal direction and are connected to eachother; a plurality of gate lines; and a plurality of data lines thatintersect the plurality of gate lines and at least partially overlap thepixel electrodes.
 2. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein eachof the first and second sub-pixel electrodes comprises first and secondedges that are parallel to the gate line and third and fourth edges thatare parallel to the data line.
 3. The liquid crystal display of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of thin film transistors connected to thegate lines, the data lines, and the pixel electrodes.
 4. The liquidcrystal display of claim 3, wherein each data line comprises a firstdata line connected to the pixel electrodes through the thin filmtransistors, and second and third data lines that are adjacent to thefirst data line, respectively.
 5. The liquid crystal display of claim 4,wherein the pixel electrode overlaps the first to third data lines. 6.The liquid crystal display of claim 5, wherein the first data lineoverlaps both the first and second sub-pixel electrodes, the second dataline overlaps the first sub-pixel electrodes, and the third data lineoverlaps the second sub-pixel electrodes.
 7. The liquid crystal displayof claim 6, wherein data voltages having the same polarity are appliedto the second and third data lines, and the polarity of the data voltageapplied to the first data line is opposite to that applied to the secondand third data lines.
 8. The liquid crystal display of claim 3, whereinthe plurality of thin film transistors connected to the pixel electrodesthat are adjacent in the column direction are alternately disposed atboth sides of the data line.
 9. The liquid crystal display of claim 1,further comprising an organic film formed between the pixel electrodesand the data lines.
 10. The liquid crystal display of claim 3, furthercomprising storage electrode lines that overlap the pixel electrodes.11. The liquid crystal display of claim 10, wherein an opening is formedin the organic film at a position where the storage electrode lineoverlaps the pixel electrode.
 12. The liquid crystal display of claim10, wherein the thin film transistor comprises a drain electrodeconnected to the pixel electrode, and at least a portion of the drainelectrode overlaps the storage electrode line.
 13. The liquid crystaldisplay of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of color filters thatare formed between the pixel electrodes and the data lines.
 14. Theliquid crystal display of claim 10, wherein an opening is formed in thecolor filter at a position where the storage electrode line overlaps thepixel electrode.
 15. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, furthercomprising: a common electrode that faces the pixel electrodes; and aliquid crystal layer interposed between the pixel electrodes and thecommon electrode, wherein liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystallayer are aligned in parallel with the pixel electrodes and the commonelectrode when no electric field is applied.
 16. The liquid crystaldisplay of claim 1, further comprising: a common electrode that facesthe pixel electrodes; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between thepixel electrodes and the common electrode, wherein liquid crystalmolecules in the liquid crystal layer are aligned in a splay alignmentmode when no electric field is applied, and are aligned in a bendalignment mode when the electric field is applied.
 17. A liquid crystaldisplay comprising: a plurality of pixel electrodes; a plurality of gatelines that transmit gate signals to the pixel electrodes; and aplurality of data lines that intersect the gate lines and transmit datavoltages to the pixel electrodes, wherein the data line overlaps thepixel electrodes and comprises a first portion that lies on a firstimaginary straight line and a second portion that lies on a secondimaginary straight line separated from and parallel to the firstimaginary straight line.
 18. The liquid crystal display of claim 17,wherein the first and second portions overlap different pixelelectrodes.
 19. The liquid crystal display of claim 17, wherein eachpixel electrode comprises first and second edges that are parallel tothe gate lines and third and fourth edges that are parallel to the datalines.
 20. The liquid crystal display of claim 17, further comprising aplurality of storage electrode lines that overlap the pixel electrodes.21. The liquid crystal display of claim 20, further comprising a lightblocking member disposed between adjacent pixel electrodes.
 22. Theliquid crystal display of claim 21, wherein the light blocking membercomprises a first light blocking member that is adjacent to the firstportion of the data line and a second light blocking member that isadjacent to the second portion of the data line.
 23. The liquid crystaldisplay of claim 22, wherein the first light blocking member isseparated from the second light blocking member, and the first lightblocking member is connected to the storage electrode line.
 24. Theliquid crystal display of claim 20, wherein the light blocking member isformed of the same material as the storage electrode line.
 25. Theliquid crystal display of claim 17, further comprising an organic filmformed between the pixel electrodes and the data lines.
 26. The liquidcrystal display of claim 25, wherein an opening is formed in the organicfilm at a position where the storage electrode line overlaps the pixelelectrode.
 27. The liquid crystal display of claim 17, furthercomprising a plurality of color filters that are formed between thepixel electrodes and the data lines.
 28. The liquid crystal display ofclaim 27, wherein an opening is formed in the color filter at a positionwhere the storage electrode line overlaps the pixel electrode.
 29. Theliquid crystal display of claim 17, further comprising a plurality ofthin film transistors connected to the gate lines, the data lines, andthe pixel electrodes, wherein the plurality of thin film transistorsconnected to the pixel electrodes that are adjacent in the columndirection are alternately disposed at both sides of the data line. 30.The liquid crystal display of claim 17, wherein data voltages havingopposite polarities are applied to the two adjacent data lines.
 31. Theliquid crystal display of claim 17, further comprising: a commonelectrode that faces the pixel electrodes; and a liquid crystal layerinterposed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode,wherein liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer are alignedin parallel with the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes when noelectric field is applied.
 32. The liquid crystal display of claim 17,further comprising: a common electrode that faces the pixel electrodes;and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the pixel electrodes andthe common electrode, wherein liquid crystal molecules in the liquidcrystal layer are aligned in a splay alignment mode when no electricfield is applied, and are aligned in a bend alignment mode when theelectric field is applied.